As June rolled around, I found myself pausing to reflect — how was I really feeling?
The answer surprised me:
I wasn’t unhappy.
I wasn’t unwell.
I wasn’t even doing things I disliked.
But I was stressed.
Not the bad kind — just a lot of good stress.
The kind that comes from chasing goals, pursuing passions, and doing meaningful work. I was ticking boxes, making things happen, and (with God’s grace!) bringing my dreams to life. 💥
But behind all that productivity, something felt… off.
The Superwoman Illusion
There’s this thing that happens when I get into my zone. I love what I do, I’m energized by it, and I want to do more and more. Sometimes I honestly feel like Superwoman. 🦸♀️
But then — my humanity catches up.
And it’s not that I wasn’t looking after myself. In fact, I was doing pretty well:
- ✅ Eating mindfully (within my dietary restrictions)
- ✅ Moving my body more than I did last year
- ✅ Getting consistent sleep
- ✅ Even doing a nightly skincare routine (a first for me!) 😂
So if all the “right” self-care practices were there… what was still missing?
The Missing Piece: Play 🎈
One word came to mind — play.
Somewhere along the way, I’d stopped doing things just because they were fun.
Not for work.
Not for others.
Not to be productive or “good” for me.
Just. For. Joy.
So, I sat down and made a list — a “Play List,” if you will — of things I love doing simply for the fun of it:
- ☀️ Reading in the sun
- ☁️ Cloud watching
- 🌊 Walking along the beach
- 💃 Dancing in my bedroom
- 🩰 Attending a dance class
- 🌄 Exploring a place I haven’t been before
That’s not a long list — but it’s mine.
And once I began making space for these little joys again, I felt a shift.
My energy, my mood, my perspective — all lighter, brighter, and more me.
Play Is Not a Luxury — It’s a Need
As adults, especially women who do so much for others, it’s easy to fall into the trap of believing play is a luxury.
Something indulgent.
Childish, even.
But I’ve come to believe it’s essential.
Not just for our wellbeing, but for our spirit.
So I’m inviting you to reflect with me:
- 👉 Do you have regular play time in your week that’s just for the joy of it?
- 👉 What would be on your Play List?
And then — be bold enough to actually schedule it in.
Because you’re not just here to produce, serve, or survive.
You’re here to live fully. And that includes dancing in your bedroom, watching the clouds, or whatever brings you joy.
With love,
Steph 💌